Apparatus for refining asphaltum



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheetl A,..F. L. BELL.

I APPARATUS FOR REPINING ASPHALTUM. Nq. 581,451. Patented Apr. 27, 1897.

(No Model.)- J 3 Sheets-Sl1eet 2.

. A. F. L. BELL. APPARATUS FOR REFINING ASPHALTUM.

No. 581,451. Patented Apr. 27, 1897.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

. A. P. L. BELL. APPARATUS FOR RBFINING ASPHALTUM.

No. 581.451. Patented Apr. 27, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' ARTHUR F. L. BELL, OF CARPENTERIA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE ALCATRAZ ASPHALT COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR REFINING ASPHALTUM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 581,451, dated April 27, 1897.

Application filed October 21, 1895. Serial N0. 566,403. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR F. L. BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Carpenteria, county of Santa Barbara, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Refining Asphaltum; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to apparatus for extracting and purifying asphaltum and kindred substances from silicious ,and other earthy matter by crushing, heating, agitation, and the employment of solvents incorporated therewith and the revaporation of the solvents incorporated With the asphaltic material, whereby the asphalt is reduced to a merchantable product; also in devices for collecting and condensing the volatilized products therefrom.

My improvements include a revoluble extracting cylinder or drum provided on its interior with devices for moving the material therethrough oppositely to the flow of a liquid solvent, and around this cylinder an air or vapor tight casing in which is collected the volatilized solvent escaping from the cylinder, thus permitting fixed joints to and from the cylinder for both the material and its products.

My improvements also include an annular vapor-collecting chamber or casing around the cylinder having double Walls forming a steam-jacket, whereby the revolving cylinder and its contents can be heated. They also include certain means of introducing and modifying the flow of liquid solvents while passing through the revolving cylinder oppositely to the waste material.

My improvements further include devices to crush, disintegrate, and saturate with liquid solvents the crudematerial before it enters the extracting-cylinder, also to heat and dry the waste material before it enters the revolving drying-cylin der,with various accessories to collect, convey, and condense the volatile solvent and to convey, distribute, and apply the liquid solvent, as will be more fully explained in connection with the drawings and pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

The objects of my invention are to avoid running joints at the end of the revolving extracting-cylinder, which joints would be soon destroyed by attrition; also to avoid rubbing action between the metallic surfaces within the cylinder or elsewhere; to attain a cumulative and complete incorporation of liquid solvents with the material to be treated and at the same time simplify and cheapen the process of extracting and purifying the product.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a general view, partially in section, of an asphaltum-reducing plant embodying my im-- provements. angle to their position in Fig. 1 of the crushing and first incorporating devices for treating the crude material. Fig. 3 is a perspective view with aportion of the shell removed to show the interior construction of the main 7o extracting drum or cylinder. Fig. 4tis a perspective view of the drying-cylinder. Fig. 5 is an enlarged part section and part elevation of the revoluble drum and its adjuncts.

In drums or cylinders hitherto employed for the treatment of substances requiring agitation, maceration, and incorporation such drums have, when revoluble, been made with helical inwardly-projecting flanges for conveyance, or, when made stationary, provided inder with a revolving screw or conveyer sub-- 0 jected the screw and inner walls of the drum to rapid and destructive wear by attrition of sand or other gritty substances. Both of these objections are overcome by my invention. within a fixed outer casing that completely incloses the revolving cylinder. The outlet and inlet for the material and products which are connected with this outer casing instead of to the revolving cylinder consequently are IOO fixed and not subject to abrasive wear; and also permits a helical duct or channel from end Fig. 2 is an elevation at a right 65 This in- The volatile products are collected 5 to end of the revolving cylinder, in which the sand and silt or other waste material rolls or slides without pressure and with but little abrasive wear.

\Vith this explanation of the principles involved in the apparatus employed in applying my improvements I will now proceed to describe other accessory parts successively and in the order of their operation.

The crude material, consisting of asphaltum combined with sand, gravel, silt, or other earthy matter, is conveyed to the reductionhouse in cars B and is dumped into a hopper C, from which it descends by gravity to the crushing-rollers D, and is thereby broken to some predetermined size. The material then descends by a spout E into the end of a disintegrating and agitating cylinder F, where it is tumbled by rotation and saturated by a liquid solvent, as hereinafter explained. This cylinder F may be covered with a screen, through which the material reduced to suffcient fineness will fall into a hopper G, and passes by a spout into the interior of the re volving cylinder I, as seen in Fig. 1. Any material not fine enough to pass through the screen covering of this drum or any surplus overflows at the ends of the drum F and also falls into the spout G.

The external casing II around the cylinder I is connected by a close joint to the hopper G or the spout at the bottom of the same. The joint or connection being a fixed one is secure against the escape of vapor from the casing 11. In this manner it will be seen that the material to be treated passes into the cylinderI without the usual packed inlet or running joint that would be required if the cylinder I was not in communication with the annular chamber formed by the casing I-l. After the material is thus introduced into the cylinder I it is, engaged by the helical vane or flange t" therein and made rigid therewith and by revolution of the cylinder is gradually moved forward to the higher end, rolling and sliding on the surfaces without pressure other than is due to gravity, consequently without attrition or wear of the metal surfaces.

At certain points in the spiral Vane t", at spaces equaling about one and a third convolutions, I provide passages '5 that can have screens therein, through which a portion of the liquid flows from one compartment to another without passing over the vane. These passages i being in a staggered line longitudinally, when at the bottom, act alternately. At the same time the asphaltic product is being extracted and freed from the waste material by the action of liquid solvent, such as bisulfid of carbon, introduced by the pipe J into the end of the cylinder I. This pipe J leads to a pump K, connected to a supplytank L, from which the liquid solvent is drawn. The liquid solvent thus introduced descends by its gravity to the lower end of the cylin der I against the action of the helical vanes 'i therein, except as to the previous screens or openings 2' introduced at intervals, as be-- fore described, through which the liquid solvent and liquid asphalt can pass from one convolution to another without following the spiral channel along which the waste solids are ascending. The liquid solution thus i11- troduced with the asphaltic product thereby set free makes its way down to some predetermined level in the cylinder I and the easing 11, as the inclination of these may determine, covers and seals the feeding-spout below the hopper G, and may rise to and saturate the material in the revolving cylinder F, as indicated in Fig. 1, but is there shown making too small an angle with the horizontal and thereby too much reducing the number of compartments occupied in the cylinder or drum by the comparatively pure solvent which enters from the pipe J.

If it is desirable to maintain the liquid sol vent at a lower level or only so high as to seal the inlet-way from the hopper G, the disintegrating -cylinder F can be supplied with liquid solvent by connecting it to the pipe J, leading from the pump K.

The waste solids being carried out of the cylinderI descend by means of the connecting-spout between the casings II and M and enter the revolving drying-cylinder m, where they are further agitated and heated, giving off the solvent in vapor, which rises through the spout last mentioned and enters the pipe N.

The revolving drying-cylinder 'm is provided on its interior with inward-projecting vanes m, as shown in Fig. 4:, that raise and diffuse the material, so as to expose it effectually to the heat and permit free escape of any solvent not previously volatilized.

Into the casing at some suitable point I introduce steam by means of a pipe Q, (seen in Fig. 1,) the steam thus introduced by entrainment facilitating the flow of the volatilized solvent to the condenser O.

The pipe N connects with the annular chamber around the cylinder I formed by the casing 11, so that so much of the solvent as is volatilized in the cylinder I also passes through the pipe N to a condenscrat 0, where the vapor is liquefied and flows back into the supply-tank L.

The heating element for the jackets around the casing II and cylinder m and for supplying the steam to pipe Q in the sand-drier is an ordinary steam-boiler. (Not shown in the drawings and not necessary to be described here.)

The main extracting-cylinder I, dryingcylinder m, the crushing-rollers D, and the rotary tumbling-cylinder F are all driven by belts and gearing, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The construction of the spirally-directed flange on the interior of the revoluble drum is such that each fold of the flange holds for a sufficient length of time the downcoming charge of solvent, to enable it to thoroughly mix with the oncoming or outgoing charge of sand, silt, &c., before the latter is carried on and theformer allowed to proceed downwardly enriched by the asphaltum it has taken from that charge of sand, silt, &c. For the best result I have located the screen-sections out of line with one another, so that they shall not all go to the bottom at the same time and permit the liquid solvent to work down with a rush, but by going around to the bottom successively each charge (and by which I mean that portion between each fold) is allowed to separate at its own time, the sand, silt, &c., going on to the next compartment above, while the liquid passes down to the next compartment below to meet other sand, silt, &c., while the previous charge of sand, silt, &c., advances to meet fresh solvent.

Having now described the various elements that constitute the extracting and refining apparatus, I will next follow through the procmateriah- Adding solvent at this point reduces the asphaltic material to a semiliquid or plastic condition. From the drum F the material drops either through a screen in the outer periphery of the drum or, if the periphery is madesolid, it spills over the end of. the drum into a hopper G, leading to the eX-:

tracting-cylinder I, and entering in a semiliquid condition, so that-the washing action; of the liquid solvent which it comes in contact with separates immediately the pure as phaltum from the sand, silt, and other for eign substances. As the inner drum revolves it gradually moves the asphaltic material toward its upper end, the sand and silt rolling on itself as the drum revolves, and as it does, not come in contact with any metal rubbingsurfaces there is but little wear of the surfaces. At the same time that the sand is moving upward a stream of solvent is being admitted at the upper end of the revolving drum andflows over each convolution of the spiral flange '6, except that portion which flows through the passages 71 as these are at the lowest position during each revolution of the drum. To prevent the. solvent from being screwed to the upper end of the revolving drum in the same way as the sand and silt, the passages 2' are placed in the vane t out of line with each other, so as to prevent the solvent from flowing directly to the lower end of the drum. In this way the liquid whichis screwed toward the upper end of the drum keeps running back through the passages 11 into the next compartment below, where it again collects, only to be again screwed upward till it meets the next passage.

It will be seen, therefore, that the solvent in each compartment keeps its relative position in the revolving cylinder I, whereas the sand keeps moving upward, passing through all of the different compartments.

By adding a continuous stream of solvent, which is constantly overflowing each compartment, the purity of the solvent in each is maintained,although the compartments nearest the lower end of the revolving cylinder will contain in the solution much more asphaltum than the compartments at the upper end of the revolving drum, where it is practically a pure solvent. The sand after having passed through the revolving cylinder I drops into the drier m, which is heated by suitable means to drive off the solvent carried over in the sand. The sand after having passed through the drier is conveyed to a dump, while the solvent, which is evaporated from the sand in the drier, is led through the condenser O to the storage-tank L to be used over again.

At the lower end of the vapor-tight shell l-I, surrounding the revolving cylinder I, is an overflow-pipe R, which carries the solution of solvent and asphaltum to the storage-tanks S, where it is accumulated, and from there is conveyed by means of the pipe T into an ordinary still U, where the solvents are evaporated from the asphaltum and are conveyed by the pipe u from the still U to the condenser O, to be condensed and saved, to be used over again.

The asphaltum, after having had the sol-' vents extracted, is drawn from the still U and run into packages ready for shipment.

I have shown in the drawings and prefer to set the casing H and cylinder I on an incline, so as to facilitate the flow of the solvent through the drum in the direction opposite to the movement of the waste material, but I can place them horizontally by simply constructing the internal vanes to suit the different-conditions.

Having thus explained the nature and objects of my invention and the manner ofits application, what I claim is 1. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, the combination of a stationary casing or shell and an interior revoluble drum or cylinder having end openings and separated from said shell to form a circumscribin g space, with .which it communicates, said drum or cylinder having its inner face provided with means rigid therewith for advancing the material, meansfor supplying the' material to said drum, means for effecting the flow of a solvent through the drum in opposition to the path of movement of the material therein and means whereby the vaporized solvent may be recovered.-

2. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, the combination of a revoluble open-ended cylinder or drum having its interior made rigid with a spirally-directed flange for advancing the asphaltic materialthrough it, an

IIO

exterior fixed casing or shell separated from said cylinder ordrum to form a space or chamber with which the drum communicates,

3. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum,

the combination of a closed stationary inclined shell or casing and an internal revoluble inclined cylinderor drum having open ends and having its inner wall made rigid with a spirally-directed flange for feeding the material forward, said shell or casing and cylinder or drum being separated from each other to form a spaceor chamber with which thedrum communicates, means for supplying the material to the drum, means for admitting asolvent to the upper end of thecylinder or drum whereby it flows, by gravity, through said cylinder or drum in a direction opposite to the movement of the material therein and accum ulates in and assists in forming a seal at the lower or inlet end of the shell or casing, a condenser and a pipe or passage whereby the vaporized solvent may be withdrawn from the shell or casing and recovered.

4. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum,

the combination of a closed, stationary shell or casing, a hopper communicating with one end portion thereof by a substantially tight joint and a pipe or passage leading from the opposite end portion of said shell or casing; a revoluble open-ended drum or cylinder within said shell or casing and separated therefrom to form a space or chamber with which the drum communicates, and having its interior made rigid with means for advancing the material through said drum or cylinder, means for supplying the drum with asphaltic material, means -for admitting a liquid solvent into the drum or cylinder so that it may fiow therethrough in opposition to the movement of the asphaltic material, and a condenser whereby the vaporized solvent carried over by the pipe or passage may be recovered.

5. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, the combination of a stationary, closed in clined shell or casing, a revolubleopen-ended drum having its interior made rigid with a spiral flange for advancing the aspha'ltic material therethrough, said flanges having foraminous sections out of line with each other,

means for admitting the asphaltic material open-ended drum having its interior made rigid with means for advancing the material therethrough, a closed, stationary shell enveloping the drum and separated therefrom to form a space orchamber with which the drum communicates, means for feeding the material into one end of the drum and a liquid solvent into the opposite end portion whereby the twotravelin oppositedirections, a drying apparatus in communication with the "discharge end of the drum, and means whereby the volatilized solvent from said space or chamber and drying apparatus may be withdrawn and collected.

7. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, thecombination of a revoluble open-ended drum having its interior made rigid with means for advancing the material therethrough, a stationary closed inclosin-g casing or shell separated therefrom to form a space or chamber with which the drum communicates and having double walls forming a-heating-jacket, means for admitting the material and asolvent therefor into opposite ends of the drum whereby the two advance in opposite directions and the vaporized solvent enters said space or chamber, a condenser and a pipe or passage connecting thesame with the space or chamber whereby the vaporized solvent is recovered.

8. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, the combination with arevoluble open-ended drum having means rigid therewith for advancin g the material therethrough,and a hopper or inlet for directing the material to said drum, of a closed casing or shell surrounding the drum and separated therefrom to form a space with which the drum communicates, and into which casing "or shell the hopper or inlet is entered sofas to maintain atightjoint therewith, means for-admittinga solvent into the opposite portion of the drum whereby it accumulates in the hopper end/of the drum and casing and the vaporized solvent enters the space or chamber between the said drum and casing, and means for withdrawing and recovering said vaporized solvent.

9. An apparatus for refining asphaltum, comprising a closed shell or casing, a fixed hopper let into one end portion thereof so as to maintain a tight joint therewith, a revolu ble open-ended drum into which the hopper discharges, having a spirally-directed flange made rigid with it foradvancing the material, means for admitting asolvent to said drum, a crusher by which the material is initially crushed, a revoluble drum into which the crushed "material is received from the crusher adapted to be supplied with said solvent, and means whereby vaporized solvent may be withdrawn from the shell or casing and recovered.

10. In-an apparatus for refining asphaltum, a shell or casing and an interior revol uble drum both placed atan incline and one separated from theother to formaspace or chamber with which the drum communicates, said IIO drum having its interior made rigid with a spirally-directed flange provided with foraminous sections in its convolutions arranged out of line with each other, means for supplying asphaltic material to the drum, and means for admitting a stream of solvent into the discharge end portion of the drum whereby the asphaltic material is subjected to suecessive intermittent baths of solvent of increasing purity during its uninterrupted passage through the drum.

11. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, and in combination with a closed casing, an inner revoluble open-ended drum separated therefrom and having means for advancing the material, means for supplying the asphaltic material to the drum, means for supplying a solvent to the drum to act on the advancing material, a drier in communication with the discharge of the drum and receiving sand, silt and other contents thereof, a condenser and a pipe or passage by which it is connected with the closed casin g whereby the vaporized solvent is recovered and means for removing the vapors from said drier.

12. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, the combination of a closed, stationary, shell or casing, an open-ended cylinder or drum adapted to rotate therein'and separated therefrom to form a space or chamber and having its interior provided with means for supplying and advancing the asphaltic material, means for admitting a flowing solvent to one end portion of the drum so that it will flow in a direction opposite to the travel of the material and an overflow pipe or passage whereby the level of the solution in the inlet end of the apparatus may be maintained.

13. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, a rotating conveyer having a spirally-directed flange, a portion of each fold or turn of which is pervious to the solvent used but not to the asphaltic material, whereby the former is permitted to flow in successive baths to meet the advancing asphaltic material.

14. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum, a rotating conveyer having a spirally-directed flange with screen-sections in each fold or turn located out of line with each other sucoessively.

15. In an apparatus for refining asphaltum,

a tight casin or shell and a rotating conveyer I therein consisting of a spirally-directed flange of a diameter closely" fitting said shell and having successive screen-sections located out of line with each other.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR F. L. BELL. \Vitnesses:

WM. F. BOOTH, S. H. NOURSE. 

